アンジェ周辺のHalf Marathonレース

The Semi-Marathon de Beaufort en Anjou is a road running event held in early October in Beaufort-en-Vallée, Maine-et-Loire, within France’s Pays de la Loire region. The primary event is a half marathon, complemented by shorter races: les petites foulées (approximately 5.6 km) and les foulées (approximately 9.7 km). An intermediate race of about 10.5 km is also listed on some entry pages. Additionally, walkers can participate in an 11 km Nordic walk, ensuring the day caters to more than just half marathon runners. The half marathon begins as a loop from Place Notre Dame, starting near the Notre Dame church. The course departs Beaufort-en-Vallée, passing through Gée and Mazé, following the Couesnon river. It incorporates small bridges, roads, paths, woods, and forest sections surrounding the town. Runners will see the ruins of Beaufort Castle and head towards the Château de Montgeoffroy de Montmirail, weaving local heritage into a largely rural route. The region is also known for poularde à l’angevine, a local chicken dish, offering a more regional post-race meal than the typical pasta.

Ultra Trail La Mayenne is an 85 km race along the Mayenne towpath, connecting Mayenne and Daon by the river. Scheduled for April, it can be completed solo or as a relay, offering a challenge between a full ultra and a shared long-distance run. The course follows the old towpath beside the Mayenne with minimal elevation change (66 meters negative). Relay teams can divide the race into legs of 36.7 km and 48.3 km, with the option for the pair to run the last kilometer together. Alternatively, the course can be split into five shorter sections, such as Mayenne to Montflours and Montflours to La Pignière. Mandatory equipment is required, and aid stations are cup-free. The inaugural event attracted 550 participants. Organizer Le Son de vie allocates profits to Deux rayons de soleil, supporting twins with cerebral palsy, and to the departmental Handisport committee.

Courir à Meslay-du-Maine is a local running event in Meslay-du-Maine, France, centered on a labelled half marathon typically held in October. The half marathon is in its eighteenth edition. Organizers describe the route as fairly rolling, suitable for runners seeking a straightforward road race over a technical course. The program now includes an approximately 11 km nature race and hike, open to all, following the discontinuation of the older Meslinoise race due to low participation. A portion of each entry for the nature race supports Octobre Rose, the French breast cancer awareness campaign. Organizers have also reduced entry fees, a practice they note is uncommon currently. Registration is managed via Klikegolien.

Festicap - Marathon de Guecelard takes place in late October in Guecelard, a town in Sarthe, Pays de la Loire, near Le Mans. The 42.195 km marathon is the only one held in Sarthe. The event also offers shorter races: 4.25 km, 11 km, and a half marathon. The event accommodates various participants, including a walking option, children’s and junior races, a relay, and an Ekiden. The course follows town roads, park paths, and forest trails. Hundreds of runners from across France, including locals, those from Le Mans and the Paris region, and visitors from Belgium, participate.

Cross Ouest France draws thousands of runners to Le Mans, Sarthe, in mid-January for a large cross-country race weekend supported by Ouest-France, the major French daily newspaper. Established in 1981, it features 16 races, giving it the feel of a running festival rather than a single event. The schedule includes a 20 km trail and a 10 km Nature race, alongside 7 km and 5 km cross-country races. A separate 5 km race is designated for women. Additionally, there is a handisport race, 13 km and 7 km Nordic walking events, canicross, children’s races, and a 2.5 km family loop. This variety allows club runners, walkers, families, children, and runners with dogs to participate in the same event.

The Montfort Trail is a small trail-running event held in Saint-Laurent-sur-Sèvre, located in the Pays de la Loire region of western France. Taking place in autumn, it features races ranging from 5 km to 21 km, alongside a 5 km walk and children's races. The event was established by the Montfort school parents' association, with technical support from the local Entente Sèvre club. Proceeds from the event contribute to funding activities for the school's pupils. The routes follow the paths around Saint-Laurent-sur-Sèvre and the Sèvre valley, giving the day a character more akin to a local trail outing than a large city road race. Both licensed and non-licensed runners are welcome, and the events are open to both women and men. The programme caters to various skill levels: a 5 km race for beginners, 12 km and 21 km options for increased distance, a walk for those not running, and children's races that maintain the school-community focus of the event.

Gaubre’Trail is a trail-running series held in La Gaubretière, Vendée, western France. Its winter race takes place at night, offering two adult distances: 10 km with 150 m of elevation gain and 20 km with 300 m of elevation gain. Participants must be 18 or older; non-licensed runners require a medical certificate prior to the event. The summer edition begins in the park of the Château de la Landebaudière and attracts a larger field, with over 1,300 participants across its various races. Its past offerings included 7 km, 14 km, 21 km, and 42 km options, alongside children’s races for ages 3 to 15 on courses ranging from 500 m to 1.5 km. The event has seen rapid growth, with participation increasing from approximately 980 runners to over 1,300. The château park provides a natural setting, distinguishing it from a typical town-center road race.

Ekiden de Laval is a team relay race held in Laval, located in France’s Pays de la Loire region. The start and finish are situated at Cour de la Résistance by Square de Boston. The primary Ekiden covers the marathon distance of 42.195 km, divided among six runners with legs measuring 5 km, 10 km, 5 km, 10 km, 5 km, and 7.195 km. A Semi-Ekiden is also offered, spanning 21.100 km for three runners, with legs of 5 km, 10 km, and 6.100 km. The course is designed around a 5 km loop, meaning most participants will run either one or two laps based on their position in the relay. The final runner incorporates an additional shorter section of 2.195 km. Teams can consist of friends, family, colleagues, club members, or local competitors. The event attracts notable Mayenne athletes who compete for the marathon relay victory. Refreshment stations are positioned near the Pont de l’Europe exit at Square de Boston and at the finish line. Participants are required to provide their own cups.

The Marathon d'Avrillé is a road running event held in Avrillé, located in the Maine-et-Loire department of western France. It is scheduled for March, with the specific date yet to be confirmed. The event features three race distances: a full marathon covering 42.195 km, a half marathon of 21.0975 km, and a 10 km race. The race day schedule is organized by distance. The marathon begins at 09:00, followed by the half marathon at 11:00, and the 10 km race at 12:00. The entry fee for the marathon bib is 20 EUR, and participants can register via Miles Republic.

The Semi-Marathon du Massif Forestier de Nuaillé begins in Nuaillé, located in Maine-et-Loire within France’s Pays de la Loire region. This road race, held in late March, centers on the forest bordering the town. The primary event is a 21.0975 km half marathon, complemented by an 8.2 km nature run and events for children and juniors. Handisport athletes are included, making the day more inclusive than a single competitive field. The event originated in 1985 and typically attracts over 3,000 participants across all its races. The course crosses roads through forest, town, and natural landscapes, featuring local plant and animal life. It is suitable for runners aiming for a personal best and those testing their endurance over the half-marathon distance. The race holds an Athlé Label Route OR certification, and organizers provide pacemakers to assist runners in maintaining target speeds. A time limit at kilometer 17 imposes a pacing requirement for the latter part of the half marathon.

Sentiers des Vignes begins at the Plan d’eau du Chêne in Saint-Julien-de-Concelles, located in the Nantes vineyard area of Loire-Atlantique. This spring trail and nature-running series offers three primary distances: 12 km with 105 m of elevation gain, 23 km with 225 m, and 31 km with 350 m. The shortest race is a compact loop on practical trails, accessible to cadet-age participants, with a limit of approximately 250 to 280 runners. The courses traverse the vineyard hills surrounding Saint-Julien, Le Loroux-Bottereau, La Chapelle, and Divatte-sur-Loire, incorporating both vineyard paths and woodland tracks. The 23 km course, a more recent addition, shares a section of its path and starting point with the 31 km race. The majority of participants originate from within a 30 km radius of the commune, with others traveling from the Nantes region, Vendée, and Maine-et-Loire. The field comprises both FFA-licensed and non-licensed runners. Additionally, the event includes youth races for younger children on modified courses.

The Marathon de Chinon begins and ends on Quai Danton, situated on the left bank of the Vienne river, with the Royal Fortress visible. This spring race, held in Chinon within France's Touraine region, offers three distances: a marathon, a half marathon, and a 10 km. The marathon and half marathon are officially measured and serve as qualifying events; the half marathon holds a Bronze Label, and the 10 km is an official race. The marathon consists of two 21.1 km circuits, while the half marathon completes one circuit and the 10 km follows a significant portion of the same path. The course is notably flat, with no recorded positive elevation gain for the marathon or half marathon. It winds past vineyards, the medieval town, the Vienne riverbanks, the greenway, and the historic center. The marathon village, located at Espace Rabelais, emphasizes local products and the social aspect of the event. This race is in its early stages, having only reached its fourth edition.